Drink revenue is still possible: Just attach a larger version of gerbil water bottles to the outside of the box, and poke the tube in through the air hole. I'm sure with a little more thought, we could even figure out a way to justify an increase over current prices.

(Written on 2020/10/16)(Permalink)

Would you say that the economy service you got in 1979 was about equivalent to today's premium economy offerings on domestic airlines? Personally, a lot of the time I'd rather save the money and put up with discomfort, but there's times and lengths of flights when I'd rather pay for more comfort. It's nice to have the choice. I wasn't doing a whole lot of flying in '79, but even in the 90's when I was in high school and traveled a little, there weren't nearly as many people flying as there are today. I think that flying has become more affordable by cheapening the product and experience. If the government regulates that premium economy seating (or something close to it) is the minimum standard, prices will go up, and the market will shrink.

(Written on 2018/07/26)(Permalink)

I also tried looking for videos that might show a crab to slip crosswind landing, but I can't find anything. Plenty of examples of good crab landings, but not a lot of slipping. More from Cargospotter @ Düsseldorf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAGtkcsvR-w A380 at @3:18 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMUdXJPUwm8 I would have expected manufacturer crosswind testing to show it off, but they're crab landings too. 777: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z2LtHrn9Jw 787: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nKFGQCAg3c

(Written on 2017/10/09)(Permalink)

Might be a good time to divert to an alternate.

(Written on 2017/09/01)(Permalink)

I've been pleasantly surprised by Delta. I flew Delta SEA-PVG, and thought the seat comfort and service was pretty good. Certainly more comfortable than United's HKG-ORD the year before.

(Written on 2017/07/23)(Permalink)

This is just United FUD. Frontier has been routing passengers through Denver since they started. I flew into DEN last weekend. We were delayed in deplaning for 45 minutes because our gate was occupied by an aircraft with a mechanical issue. There were plenty of connecting passengers who received information about, and help getting to, their connecting flights. I believe some flights waited a bit to pick these passengers up. It's not like Frontier is going to doing anything new, just increasing the scope. At the end of the day, if you're flying in the cattle car section, there really isn't much of a difference between Frontier and United. You're going to be crammed and uncomfortable. I can deal with it on short flights. On longer flights, I'd rather fly with anyone but United anyway, based on my experience.

(Written on 2017/07/20)(Permalink)

Since they're the ones who called in security, they are responsible, and deserve the backlash. Although they have the right to involuntarily bump passengers, doing so is always going to be ugly. As others have said, they could have increased the compensation offered, provided better alternative travel options, or done something else with the dead-heading crew. But instead they chose to call in airport security. They own the resulting mess.

(Written on 2017/04/10)(Permalink)

Airlines have a lot of discretion in who they choose to bump, and can use fare paid, membership status, time of check-in or other factors in their decision. It makes business sense to bump economy passengers first, over higher fare classes. However, from a customer service standpoint, involuntary bumps are the worst option. You'd think they'd have tried harder with with compensation before calling in security.

(Written on 2017/04/10)(Permalink)

Even if he was lying about being a doctor, this was definitely not the right way to deal with the overbooked situation. As Ruger9X19 said, it's likely the author of this Delta article may have received better treatment, but Delta was offering passengers more and increasing levels of compensation to give up their seats voluntarily. I think I'm going to be choosing other options over United for a while.

(Written on 2017/04/10)(Permalink)

I agree with you - I love the new regional jets, they've gotten quite comfortable, and with the small load, getting on an off is a breeze. I flew two different 37-8s, a 757 and a 319 in in close order over the summer, and found the 319 to be the most comfortable. Definitely preferred the older 757 to the 37-8s. Maybe it was Delta vs United and WestJet, but the 37-8 economy seating was extremely cramped, especially the United flight from LAX to OGG.

(Written on 2016/10/09)(Permalink)